¹congregate

verb con·gre·gate \-ˌgāt\

: to come together in a group or crowd

con·gre·gat·edcon·gre·gat·ing

Full Definition of CONGREGATE

transitive verb

: to collect into a group or crowd : assemble

intransitive verb

: to come together into a group, crowd, or assembly

— con·gre·ga·tor \-ˌgā-tər\ noun

See congregate defined for English-language learners

See congregate defined for kids

Origin of CONGREGATE

Middle English, from Latin congregatus, past participle of congregare, from com- + greg-, grex flock

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CONGREGATE

Synonyms: accumulate, amass, assemble, bulk (up), collect, concentrate, gather, constellate, corral, garner, group, lump, pick up, round up

Antonyms: dispel, disperse, dissipate, scatter

Synonym Discussion of CONGREGATE

gather, collect, assemble, congregate mean to come or bring together into a group, mass, or unit. gather is the most general term for bringing or coming together from a spread-out or scattered state <a crowd quickly gathered>. collect often implies careful selection or orderly arrangement <collected books on gardening>. assemble implies an ordered union or organization of persons or things often for a definite purpose <experts assembled for a conference>. congregate implies a spontaneous flocking together into a crowd or huddle <congregating under a shelter>.

²congregate

adjective con·gre·gate \-gət\

Definition of CONGREGATE

: providing or being group services or facilities designed especially for elderly persons requiring supportive services <congregate housing>

First Known Use of CONGREGATE

1900

Rhymes with CONGREGATE

betel nut, butternut, coconut, hazelnut, intercut, Lilliput, occiput, overcut, scuttlebutt, undercut, uppercut

CONGREGATING Defined for Kids

congregate

verb con·gre·gate \ˈkäŋ-gri-ˌgāt\

con·gre·gat·edcon·gre·gat·ing

Definition of CONGREGATE for Kids

: to collect or gather into a crowd or group : assemble <Workers congregate around the coffee maker.>

Word Root of CONGREGATE

The Latin word grex, meaning “flock,”and its form gregis give us the root greg. Words from the Latin grex have something to do with flocks or groups. Anyone gregarious, or social, enjoys being part of the flock. To congregate is to gather as a flock or crowd. To segregate is to separate away from others or away from the flock.